Nikon crams flagship features into compact Z8 full-frame mirrorless

Nikon has announced the successor to 2017’s D850 full-frame DSLR, the mirrorless Z8. The new professional-focused model inherits many of the flagship Z9’s features, but crams them into a more compact body that “can be operated in the field, in the studio, at a ceremony, on the street, or in the field.”

The Z8 is built around the combination of the flagship 45.7-megapixel FX-format (35.9 x 23.9 mm) back-illuminated stacked CMOS sensor and the Expeed 7 image-processing engine, which is said to enable “scanning speeds so fast that no mechanical shutter is needed.” “

Nikon says pro users can look forward to silent shooting and virtually no rolling shutter distortion, ISO64 to 25,600 sensitivity can be expanded to ISO102,400, and the new Z-series cameras also use the same hybrid phase-detection/contrast autofocus system found in the Z9, featuring Deep Learning Subject Detection for Photos and Videos.

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Internal 12-bit RAW footage can be recorded in Nikon’s new RAW video format (N-RAW) up to 8K/60p – which also generates 1080p proxy files for easy editing – or as ProRes RAW 4K/60p. The camera can record up to 90 minutes of 8K/30p footage or 125 minutes of 4K UHD/60p footage.

Slow motion frame rates up to 120p are also available for 4K capture, and useful video features drawn from the Z9 include a 4K high-resolution zoom function, focus peaking, fine ISO control, customizable AF speed tracking, timecode sync and 24-bit/ 48 kHz stereo audio. Color profile options include Flat Color Profile for Easy Grading, N-Log, HLG, and 10-bit Pro-Res 4:2:2 HQ.

For stills, photographers can choose to capture images in 10-bit HEIF format instead of JPEG for improved color performance, and 14-bit RAW and HLG RAW formats are also supported. Continuous shooting in full-resolution JPEGs tops out at 30 frames per second, full-resolution RAW+JPEG reduces that to 20 fps, but cropping to DX yields 60 fps, and reducing the resolution to 11-megapixel JPEG Up to 120 fps is possible. Synchro VR can manage up to 6 stops of combined body/lens shake compensation.

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Compose pictures or capture shots through the non-shading 3,690,000-dot Live Viewfinder or the 3.2-inch, 2,100,000-dot vari-angle touchscreen LCD monitor. The camera has a CFexpress card slot and a UHS II SD slot, there are two USB-C ports for charging/accessories as well as full-size HDMI, Bluetooth 5.0 onboard, and 802.11ac Wi-Fi.

The camera body is made of carbon fiber composite and magnesium alloy and is completely sealed. The latest Z-series camera reportedly measures 5.7 x 4.7 x 3.3 inches (144 x 118.5 x 83 mm), making it 15 percent smaller than the D850 it replaces and 30 percent more compact than the Z9.

The Nikon Z8 will go on sale May 25 for a body-only MSRP of $3,995.95. An optional weatherproof battery handle is also available for extended periods away from power outlets. The video below has more.

Product page: Z8